Analysis of the Global Argo Project Implementation

Since the Global Argo Project was initiated in 2000, 25 countries and international organizations have jointly deployed about 5000 Argo floats which measure the temperature and salinity of the upper 2000 m of the oceans. Now there are over 3000 floats routinely monitoring the ocean conditions, which means that the Argo observing array has been completed. Although the Argo array has currently reached 3000 floats, to be maintained at that level, member countries need to provide about 800 floats per year. To help readers further understand the Argo project, the contributions of Argo member countries in floats deployment, retrieval, and data management are introduced, followed with the challenges and tasks faced in the near future.